Preoperative skin antisepsis

Surgical wound infection is one of the main complications of patients undergoing surgery and has significant clinical and economical consequences, especially when it affects prosthetic implants or is caused by multidrug resistant bacteria. Cutaneous preparation is one of the main preventive measures. Clinical practice guidelines recommend not to remove the hair from the surgery site unless it interferes with the operation, and that if removal proves necessary, it should be done with a single-use cutter, as close as possible to the time of surgery. With regard to preoperative showering, the current recommendation is to perform it with a soap (whether antimicrobial or otherwise) or an antiseptic product, at least the night before surgery. Regarding preparation of the incision area and surrounding zone, the use of an alcohol-based antiseptic is generally advised, preferably alcoholic chlorhexidine, due to its high antibacterial activity and prolonged residual effect, respecting the evaporation drying time. This article is part of a supplement entitled "Antisepsis in the critical patient", which is sponsored by Becton Dickinson.